‘Game of Thrones’ season 6, episode 5 reaction: Kristian Nairn on Hodor’s fate
Tonight’s episode of “Game of Thrones” is one that probably will send shockwaves across the community. It could also bring some pain. We’re not sure if there was ever a character more beloved than Hodor in terms of doing so much with so little, but he became iconic over the course of several seasons. He only said one word in the present, but we were starting to figure out that in the past, it wasn’t quite nearly so simple for the character. At one point, he wasn’t too different from anyone else.
Now that we have this backstory (in true show fashion), it only seems right that we lose him. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Kristian Nairn certainly seems to suggest that Hodor is in fact dead after the shocking conclusion to tonight’s “The Door”; also, he explained that there was certainly something odd and poetic with the timing:
“I couldn’t be happier how he has gone out. The interesting thing is it’s kinda left open. You don’t actually see him [die]. It’s implied. So who knows? He may come back as a White Walker, maybe he got away. But it’s a really good way to do it. I couldn’t have asked for a better goodbye to a character I love. My favorite part is it ties up the question of why is Hodor “Hodor.” Why does he say the word “Hodor”? Only George R.R. Martin or David and Dan could have come up with this. It’s incredibly sad. The minute you finally learn something about Hodor, they kill him!”
Saying farewell to this man now is heartbreaking, but who knows? Remember that we saw Kit Harington give exit interviews all last season saying that Jon Snow was dead. Therefore, we’re not going to believe for certain that Hodor is gone until the character is either buried onscreen, or it is insisted for so long that we eventually give in. (This is what we eventually relented to do with the Catelyn Stark character.)
If this is the end for our favorite (and only) Hodor, what a way to go out. Hodor.
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